Dishonored 2 Gets Surprise Update 9 Years After Launch

Summary

• A small, unexpected update for Dishonored 2 has been released on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
• This minor patch appears to focus on bug fixes and language updates.
• Arkane Lyon, the developer, is currently working on Marvel's Blade.

Dishonored 2, a critically acclaimed Bethesda title from the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 era, has received a surprise update. Released in late 2016, the game introduced Emily Kaldwin as a playable protagonist, building upon the success of its 2012 predecessor. Missions like "The Clockwork Mansion" and "A Crack in the Slab" are particularly remembered for their innovative gameplay and detailed environments.

While Arkane Lyon developed Dishonored 2 and later created the acclaimed Deathloop (2021), its sister studio, Arkane Austin, was unfortunately affected by the 2024 Xbox studio closures, along with Roundhouse Studios, Alpha Dog Games, and Tango Gameworks (though Tango was later revived). Arkane Austin was behind the original Dishonored, Prey (2017), and the less-well-received Redfall (2023). Fortunately, Arkane Lyon continues to operate, currently collaborating with Marvel Games on Marvel's Blade.

Recently, Dishonored 2 players discovered a small update across Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam platforms. SteamDB indicates this update primarily addresses language files and bug fixes. The update is only 230MB, though Xbox users require a full 40GB re-download.

Dishonored 2 Receives a Surprise Update—But Not 60 FPS

The purpose of this unexpected update remains unclear, disappointing many who hoped for performance improvements. Unlike most other Arkane titles, Dishonored 2 remains locked at 30 FPS on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Even the original Dishonored and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider benefit from 60 FPS boosts on these consoles. A potential 60 FPS patch for Dishonored 2's tenth anniversary in 2026 is possible, though it might not be enough to satisfy players' long-standing requests.

While many fans eagerly anticipate a third mainline Dishonored game, its development, if even planned, is likely years away. This is further complicated by the closure of Arkane Austin, significantly impacting Arkane's overall output. Currently, Arkane Lyon is focused on the third-person action game Marvel's Blade, with no confirmed release date.